Payload Retrieval Apparatus with Internal Unlocking Feature and Security Features for Use With a UAV

Abstract

A payload retrieval apparatus having a base, an autoloader assembly mounted to the base including: a payload holder configured to hold a payload for retrieval by a UAV, a channel coupled to the payload holder configured to direct a payload retriever suspended from the UAV to the payload holder, and a locking feature configured to lock access to the payload on the payload holder that includes has a movable end that extends through a wall of the channel into an interior of the channel, wherein when the payload retriever contacts the movable end of the locking member, the movable end moves outwardly thereby unlocking the payload on the payload holder, wherein the payload holder is positioned such that when the payload retriever exits the channel, the payload retriever engages a handle of the payload and removes the payload from the payload holder.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A payload retrieval apparatus comprising:
 an enclosure that surrounds a payload bay and hinders access to the payload bay, the enclosure including a top opening configured to facilitate upward removal of a payload from the payload bay;   a payload holder configured to hold the payload in the payload bay; and   at least one tether engager configured to direct a tether that suspends a payload retriever toward the payload bay.   
     
     
         3 . The payload retrieval apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a wall positioned between the tether engager and the payload bay. 
     
     
         4 . The payload retrieval apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein an edge of the top opening is at least 24 inches from the payload holder. 
     
     
         5 . The payload retrieval apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the enclosure is formed by walls positioned around the payload bay. 
     
     
         6 . The payload retrieval apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a passage configured to direct the payload retriever to the payload bay. 
     
     
         7 . The payload retrieval apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the passage is formed by a channel that extends to the payload holder. 
     
     
         8 . The payload retrieval apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one tether engager includes a pair of tether engagers extending from an inlet end of the channel and configured to direct a tether toward the inlet end of the channel. 
     
     
         9 . The payload retrieval apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the enclosure includes an access door configured to provide access to the payload bay. 
     
     
         10 . The payload retrieval apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the access door includes a lock. 
     
     
         11 . The payload retrieval apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising an upper door configured to close the top opening of the enclosure. 
     
     
         12 . The payload retrieval apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the upper door is configured to only swing outward. 
     
     
         13 . A method of retrieving a payload with a UAV from a payload retrieval apparatus, the method comprising:
 lowering a payload retriever from the UAV on a tether;   causing the UAV to move the payload retriever through the payload retrieval apparatus toward a payload, wherein the payload is positioned in a payload bay that is surrounded by an enclosure with a top opening;   retrieving the payload from the payload retrieval apparatus with the payload retriever; and   retracting the tether to raise the payload retriever and payload out of the enclosure through the top opening and up to the UAV.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising, before causing the UAV to move the payload retriever through the payload retrieval apparatus, positioning the tether between first and second tether engagers of the payload retrieval apparatus and positioning the payload retriever below the first and second tether engagers. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein causing the UAV to move through the payload retrieval apparatus includes drawing the payload retriever through a passage of a channel toward the payload. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the payload is retrieved from a payload holder of the payload retrieval apparatus. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein an edge of the top opening is at least 24 inches from the payload holder. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the enclosure is formed by walls positioned around the payload bay. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the payload retrieval apparatus includes an upper door configured to close the top opening of the enclosure. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the upper door is configured to only swing outward. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein retracting the tether causes the upper door to swing outward as the payload is removed from the payload bay.